Brief History of Scandiaca

Mythological Age

The time before humanity (including all sentient humanoids) is a time of much speculation among scholars. Little is known about this time, as we have little information to go on. Various myths about this time have been shared from the oldest known tribes and some evidence of activity has survived to be uncovered by modern scholars.
During this time, the Ancient Ones still walked the realm and shaped the world. However, they are believed to leave the plane when (or perhaps shortly thereafter) humanity was formed. The Ancient Ones now only exist in the demi-plane of Heathandrus. When they left, the most powerful beats and animals of the world competed for control of a world now open for conquest.


Prehistoric Age

Before his time, the beasts and wilderness of the realm ruled supreme. The prehistoric age is the time when mankind was just another creature trying to survive; when his civilization was nothing more than small, family-like clans of hunter/gatherers who had no means of writing, no unifying language, no distinct culture, nor any land they called home. They worked with stone or wood tools and eked out a living by surviving the elements of nature to the best of their ability.
This is a time when the large, gray wolves ruled the land, massive squids ruled the sea, and the majestic owls soared supreme through the sky. Man was one of the hunted, and would only venture out so far as to keep his clan fed, but he would not hold dominion over any land he wandered through.
The biggest achievement mankind had was survival. He was successful at spreading out, and clans migrated across the whole of the continent. It is believed that the earliest tribes of mankind split off and wandered the world. Once isolated from other clans, their descendants became the various races that now are familiar throughout Scandiaca. It is believed that the various sentient races descended from some original species of proto-humans.
The invention of agriculture marks the end of this era, for it allowed humanity to settle down, and lay claim to lands that would give rise to the first settlements in Scandiaca.


Dawning Age

With the discovery of agriculture, mankind was able to form permanent settlements in Scandiaca. Agriculture gave rise to domestication of animals, and that eventually led to communities which formed around the common desire for food, shelter, and protection. The first settlement was called Brylor, and it would eventually become the largest city the continent would ever see (the city which is now called “Three Rivers”). Towns and villages began to show up anywhere a population could be sustained.
The beasts which held dominion on the realm were held at bay; and some were even driven out of lands which they had ruled for centuries. This is when humanity became the dominant creature in Scandiaca. Many of the beasts from the prehistoric age became pack animals, food, or pets. Mankind conquered not only the land, but also the sea. Ships were built and nearby islands were settled.
City-states were the largest organization which existed, however. Other than controlling one large settlement, and perhaps some nearby villages, man was not organized enough to maintain an entire nation. However, after the founding of Brevikia, the Dawning Age came to a close.


Kingdoms Age

Brevikia was the first of many nations. For the first time in history, mankind had control over more than just a settlement. Borders emerged as cities were unified. National governments were founded and lands were claimed. These kingdoms were both a great benefit for the people, and an agonizing bane.
Many kingdoms sought further expansion and control, and those nations found themselves warring with nearby kingdoms. This era is usually known as the bloodiest era in Scandiaca’s history. As soon as nations arose, they also fell to other kingdoms.
Although many powerful nations were in existence, their ambitions of controlling the whole of Scandiaca never was realized. At no point did any kingdom reach even 20% control over the land area. There simply were too many other nations which held power, and no effective way to rule over such a large area of land.


Halcyon Age

The dawning of the Eruben empire began this age. It began in Brendis Ban, and the Eruben nation grew outward. However, although some expansion was due to conquest, the Eruben nation expanded diplomatically just as effectively. The fledgling empire was the first true democracy to exist, and the populace loved their freedoms.
At the height of the Eruben Empire’s power, it controlled the northern territory all the way east until it reached the Elder Weald forest. It controlled the entire west coast all of the way down to modern-day Korid. Even Kingsburgh was within its domain. Though the Eruben empire did not control the entire continent, its influence was felt throughout Scandiaca.
The Eruben empire brought in an age of enlightenment which was enjoyed by the entire realm. Those who were not part of the empire sought to join it, or at least emulate it.


Feral Age

It was not a foreign power nor internal corruption which brought down the mightiest empire the world has ever seen. It was the wilderness itself which broke it apart. It is during this time when we see the emergence of large, intelligent beasts. It is said that some saw wolves which were the size of an elephant, and snakes as long as a river. These beasts were unprecedented, and drove the people away from the forests.
The forest itself underwent a massive change. It grew wild and erratic; it emerged fast and the edges of the forests and swamps of the land expanded. Small hamlets were overgrown by the wilderness, or wiped out by attacks from feral beasts. This happened across the entire continent. Those who survived sought shelter in larger towns. But as time went on, the size of the settlement which were being attacked or lost grew. Eventually no small settlements remained. Then small villages were removed; eventually, even decent-sized towns were lost.
Mankind retreated behind the highest, strongest walls of the largest cities. Because of this, humanity’s presence in Scandiaca became sparse. Outside of the large city-states, there were few other protected areas which were deemed safe. This made travel between cities dangerous and fewer caravans braved the wilderness. As a result, the city-states lost contact with each other. Each one adopted their own cultures and laws. The Eruben Empire fell apart even though each city-state still believed they were in the same empire.
Eventually, after time went by, those larger than life beasts simply disappeared, and the advance of the wilderness halted. However, the world was immeasurably changed. One thing that did not return to the way it was before was plant life in general. More species of intelligent plants emerged and are still around today.


Modern Age

This age is still debated by scholars. Those who believe we have entered a new age attribute the decline of wilderness hostilities and the reclamation of lands lost from the Halcyon Age. The presence of mankind across the land has expanded now that the threat seems to have subsided.